Insurance Support for Boarding Up in South West London

If you need insurance support for boarding up in South West London, we can help you document the emergency securing work clearly and quickly so your insurer can process your claim. We provide time‑stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a simple work statement detailing what was secured, materials used and why urgent action was necessary. Keep your police reference number if applicable, and we’ll do the rest.

How We Help with Insurance Claims

  • Clear, insurer-friendly paperwork:
    • Time-stamped photographs before and after boarding.
    • Itemised invoice (labour, materials, access equipment, disposal if required).
    • Brief work statement explaining the emergency, the openings secured, materials/thicknesses used and the non-destructive approach we followed where possible.
  • Advice on next steps:
    • Reminders to obtain a crime reference number (burglary, vandalism).
    • Guidance on contacting your insurer and what details they typically request.
    • We are not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’ll make your documentation straightforward.
  • Coordination with related trades:
    • If glazing is needed, we note “board & glaze” pathways with partner glaziers.
    • For roof damage, we liaise with roofers after our temporary weatherproofing.

For urgent securing now, please Call 020 4538 6452. We operate 24/7 across SW1–SW20.

What Paperwork You’ll Receive

We know insurers need clarity. After we secure your property, you’ll receive:

  • Time-stamped photographic record:
    • Damage overview and immediate hazards.
    • Each opening before and after boarding.
  • Itemised invoice including:
    • Labour time.
    • Materials (e.g., 18 mm plywood or OSB boarding, anti-tamper fixings).
    • Access (ladders, towers) where used.
    • Temporary steel doors or steel security screens if required.
  • Work statement:
    • Location and type of openings (windows, doors, shopfront).
    • Rationale for boarding (e.g., burglary entry, storm impact).
    • Method and materials used, including non-destructive securing wherever possible.
    • Any exceptions due to structural damage or safety concerns.
  • Optional notes for follow-up trades:
    • Glazing replacement, shutter repairs, roofer assessment.

If you’re comparing costs, see our overview of boarding up prices to understand how quotes are built (we don’t publish fixed prices).

Typical Claim Scenarios We Support

  • Post-burglary: entry door kicked in, smashed windows, or forced locks.
  • Vandalism: broken shopfront glazing, graffiti with glass damage, anti-social damage to void properties.
  • Storm or accident: wind-blown windows, fallen branches, vehicular impact to a shopfront.
  • Fire or flood: securing fire-damaged openings, swollen frames after water ingress, safe ventilation vs security balance.

If you’re dealing with a break-in, visit our guidance on post-burglary boarding up. For glass damage to a shop, see shopfront boarding. For weather-related emergencies, learn about our storm damage boarding.

Our Insurance-Friendly Approach

  • Non-destructive securing wherever possible:
    • We aim to fix boards into existing frames or fabric without causing further damage.
    • Anti-tamper fixings are used so they can’t be easily removed from outside.
    • Exception: if frames are shattered or structurally unsafe, we secure to sound structure and note why in the statement.
  • Suitable materials and thickness:
    • Plywood or OSB, typically 18 mm for most windows/doors; heavier gauges where risk or size warrants.
    • Temporary steel doors or steel security screens for higher-risk or vacant properties.
  • Safety and tidiness:
    • Glass sweep and debris control where safe to do so.
    • Hazard identification (e.g., loose lintels, exposed electrics) flagged in the paperwork for insurers and follow-up contractors.
  • Transparent communication:
    • Clear explanation of why boarding was necessary and what alternatives exist (e.g., temporary glazing, repair timelines).
    • Straightforward language to help claim handlers understand the emergency.

Coverage Across South West London

We’re a local team covering SW1 to SW20, including Battersea, Clapham, Wandsworth, Putney, Wimbledon, Balham, Streatham, Tooting, Chelsea and nearby neighbourhoods. With 10+ years’ experience, public liability insurance and DBS-checked technicians, we’re trusted by homeowners, landlords, shop owners and facilities managers for fast, careful, insurer-ready boarding up.

For a full view of our area coverage, see areas we cover. If you need immediate help, our 24/7 emergency boarding up page explains how we respond out of hours.

What Insurers Typically Ask For

While every insurer differs, most will want:

  • Date and time of incident and attendance.
  • Crime reference number (if burglary or vandalism) – keep this safe.
  • Photos of the damage and the finished make-safe.
  • Details of materials used (e.g., “18 mm OSB boarding with anti-tamper fixings”).
  • Confirmation that securing was necessary for safety and security.
  • Clear costs split by labour, materials and any specialist access.

We provide all of the above as standard. If your insurer has specific wording or portals, we can adapt our statement format accordingly.

Simple Step-by-Step Process

  1. Call us: Explain what happened and confirm your location. If it’s urgent, we dispatch a technician.
  2. On site: We assess, take photos and agree the make-safe method with you (or your site contact).
  3. Secure: Non-destructive boarding wherever possible; temporary steel doors/screens if needed.
  4. Evidence pack: We send time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement suitable for your insurer.
  5. Follow-up: If you’d like quotes for permanent repairs (glazing, doors), we can signpost or coordinate partners.

If you are weighing up options, visit our core services for window boarding in South West London and door boarding up.

Why Choose Us

  • Local to South West London with full SW1–SW20 coverage and efficient dispatch.
  • 10+ years’ experience securing homes, shops and facilities.
  • Public liability insured; DBS-checked technicians for your peace of mind.
  • Non-destructive methods wherever possible; exceptions clearly explained in writing.
  • Insurer-ready documentation provided promptly.
  • Clean, respectful and safety-first working practices.
  • Workmanship guarantee on our boarding and fittings for the duration of the temporary make-safe.

FAQs

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Many home and business insurance policies cover emergency securing after insured events such as burglary, vandalism, storm or impact. Check your policy’s wording and excess. We supply insurer-ready paperwork to support your claim.

What do I need to give my insurer?

They’ll usually ask for dates/times, a brief description of the incident, a crime reference number (if relevant), and evidence of the make-safe. We provide photos, an itemised invoice and a simple statement.

How long does it take to board up a property?

Most single openings are secured within an hour or two on site, depending on access and size. Larger shopfronts or multiple openings take longer. If you need urgent help, see our 24/7 emergency boarding up.

Will boarding up damage my frames?

We use non-destructive securing wherever possible. Anti-tamper fixings are chosen to minimise impact while resisting removal from outside. If frames are compromised, we explain safe alternatives and document why.

Can you help with a shop window smashed late at night?

Yes. We offer out-of-hours response for retail and commercial properties and provide the documentation your insurer needs. Learn more about our shopfront boarding.

Do you handle the insurance claim on my behalf?

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors. We don’t submit claims for you, but we provide all the evidence and clear documentation to make your claim process simpler.

What Happens Next

We also work across homes, shops and vacant properties—see property types for more context.

Need help now? Call 020 4538 6452 or Email us.

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